When I look back at the first pediatrician we had for No. 1 there's really one thing that stands out: Had she been a parent when she was treating us I think the care would have been different. Not better, mind you, just different.

Of course, I didn't realize this until after we had more kids and moved and had to find another pediatrician. Someone who had her own kids. The connection between me and her was different, as was the one between the kids and her. Yes, in a way, that connection was better, not just different.

Now, don't get your panties in a bunch because I'm not saying being a parent is a prerequisite for being a good pediatrician. What I'm saying is that I'm wondering if having an endo who has diabetes -- particularly type 1 -- will make a difference for me or not. See where I went with that?

I'm meeting a friend for happy hour tomorrow. We've talked at length about endos in our area and how we desperately miss the endos we left behind when we moved here. One of the reasons she really likes and misses her previous endo is that she had that empathy connection with her doctor because the doctor is also type 1.

Even someone commented here on one of my posts that endocrinologists know the technical side of diabetes and the science side. They don't know diabetes intimately like we do.

In retrospect, I had and still have such a wonderful connection with my first diabetes educator who was pre-diabetic and who was intimately connected to diabetes through a number of her family members. I feel like she was able to relate to my struggles and triumphs on such a different level.

So I wonder who is best to guide us? I can see the benefits of both: a non-diabetic doctor can offer the science and technique of the disease without being clouded by what works for them; yet a doctor with diabetes will know that science and technique intimately with the day-to-day aspects of the disease.

So what do you think? Would you rather have a endocrinolgist who has been there done that? Or a doctor who can give you only the medical perspective?